Where Do We Feel Safe? | Pasifika Trans People on Finding Home, Community & Belonging | Island Fever Podcast

Where Do We Feel Safe? | Pasifika Trans People on Finding Home, Community & Belonging | Island Fever Podcast

In this special episode of Island Fever Podcast, host Donato Fatuesi is joined by Dezonikah Michaelz, Agaiotupu Viena, and Tru Koroi for a powerful conversation exploring a question many MVPFAFF+ people are asking right now: What are the safest cities for Pasifika trans people in the United States?Together, they reflect on the places that shaped them, the communities that embraced them, and the realities of navigating life as Pasifika trans people across different cities and regions. From family expectations and cultural responsibilities to dating, career opportunities, and finding chosen family, this conversation dives into what safety truly means beyond laws and policies. The group shares stories of growing up, moving away, building community, and creating lives where they can not only survive—but thrive. Along the way, they unpack the role of visibility, leadership, and collective care in today’s political climate, while celebrating the resilience and brilliance of MVPFAFF+ communities. This conversation is honest, affirming, hilarious, and heartfelt. 🌈 Topics include: What MVPFAFF+ means and why representation matters The safest cities for Pasifika trans people in the U.S. Family, culture, and community support. Dating as a Pasifika trans person Economic opportunity and quality of life Building chosen family and trans sisterhood Leadership, visibility, and advocacy Thriving in today’s political climate What home, safety, and belonging really mean ✨ About Our Guests: Dezonikah Michaelz is a former Miss Island Goddess 2025, trans advocate, and fisheries professional whose work bridges community leadership, cultural identity, and environmental stewardship. Agaiotupu Viena is a communications and gender messaging strategist and co-founder of Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network, dedicated to amplifying Pacific Islander voices and advancing social change through storytelling and advocacy. Tru Koroi is a creative, journalist, and storyteller whose work explores culture, identity, community, and the evolving experiences of Pasifika people. 💖 Whether you’re looking for community, considering a move, or simply curious about how Pasifika trans people are creating lives filled with joy and possibility, this episode offers insight, wisdom, and a reminder that safety is about more than a place—it’s about people. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Building Leadership in Pasifika Communities with Kumu Hina | Island Fever Podcast

In this episode of Island Fever Podcast, hosts Vae, Krit, and Donato sit down with Kumu Hina - Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, filmmaker, educator, and cultural icon - to explore how we can build stronger Pasifika leadership in our communities. Drawing from decades of advocacy, cultural stewardship, and community work, Kumu Hina shares lessons on leadership, service, and creating pathways for future generations of Pasifika people to thrive. Kumu Hina opens up about the people, values, and cultural teachings that shaped her understanding of leadership, and reflects on how her approach has evolved throughout her life.

How Do I Help Someone with Addiction? with Maddy Sesepasara | Island Fever Podcast

In this episode of Island Fever Podcast, hosts Vae, Krit Fanene-Manuwai, and Donato Fatuesi sit down with Maddy Sesepasara of the Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) to explore one of the most difficult questions many families face: How do I help someone struggling with addiction? Whether you're navigating substance use yourself or supporting a loved one on their journey, this conversation offers compassionate insight into addiction, recovery, harm reduction, and healing. Maddy shares her path into community health work and how supporting MVPFAFF+ Pacific Islanders through addiction recovery, HIV prevention, sexual health, and harm reduction services has shaped her understanding of community care and healing. Together, the hosts reflect on their own experiences with substance use, the circumstances that led them there, and the realities of finding a way forward. From harm reduction and sobriety to sexual health, HIV prevention, stigma, and community care, this conversation explores the many layers of recovery and what it truly means to support someone without judgment. The hosts openly discuss their recovery journeys, the consequences that pushed them toward change, and the tools that help them stay on the path today. This conversation is vulnerable, honest, emotional, affirming, and deeply practical for anyone navigating addiction, recovery, mental health, or supporting someone they love. It also offers an important look at how MVPFAFF+ communities experience addiction, healing, and access to care, while highlighting resources available to those seeking support. 🌈 Topics Include:• Addiction and substance use recovery• Supporting a loved one struggling with addiction• Harm reduction vs. sobriety• HIV prevention, PrEP, and sexual health resources• MVPFAFF+ health, healing, and community care• Mental health and trauma in Pasifika communities• Recovery journeys and staying on the path• Accessing support services and resources ✨ About Our Guest Maddy Sesepasara is a community health advocate with the Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC), an organization dedicated to reducing health disparities and increasing access to care throughout Hawai'i. Through outreach, education, and direct services, Maddy supports individuals navigating substance use, HIV prevention, sexual health, and recovery. A significant part of Maddy's work includes serving MVPFAFF+ communities across Hawai'i, providing culturally responsive care and resources for Queer, Trans, and gender-diverse Pacific Islanders. Through this work, Maddy has witnessed firsthand the unique challenges, barriers, and strengths that shape addiction, recovery, and healing within our communities. 🔔 Subscribe to Island Fever Podcast for conversations centering Queer & Trans Pacific Islander voices, storytelling, culture, healing, relationships, and community. For more resources:www.pasifikarootedtherapy.com/islandfever [http://www.pasifikarootedtherapy.com/islandfever] Follow Island Fever Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/islandfeverpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/islandfeverpodcast] Watch, share, and join the conversation. 💜

How Much of My Personal Life Should I Share Online with Shar Tui'asoa | Island Fever Podcast

In this episode of Island Fever Podcast, hosts Vae, Krit & Donato sit down with Shar Tui'asoa, the creative force behind Punky Aloha, to explore how much of our personal lives is relevant and appropriate to share on social media. Shar opens up about navigating visibility, vulnerability, and the responsibility that can come with building a platform online. Together, they unpack conversations around identity, queer Pacific Islander experiences, healing, mental health, culture, storytelling, and art as activism. From celebrating Pasifika women in their fullness to reclaiming narrative power online, this conversation dives into what it means to show up authentically in digital spaces without losing yourself in the process. Whether we are the disruptors, educators, advocates, or storytellers online, we are driving Pasifika excellence simply by showing up fully as ourselves. We don’t need outside validation — we need courage, community, and the willingness to be seen. This conversation is vulnerable, hilarious, emotional, affirming, and deeply unfiltered — offering insight for anyone navigating visibility, identity, boundaries, creativity, and community in the age of social media. 🌈 Topics include:• Oversharing vs authenticity online• Queer Pacific Islander visibility• Pasifika representation in media & art• Art as activism and storytelling• Navigating boundaries in public life ✨ About Our Guest:Shar Tui'asoa is the founder and creative visionary behind Punky Aloha, a Hawai‘i-based lifestyle and illustration brand known for celebrating Pacific Islander women, Pasifika culture, and radical self-love through bold art and storytelling. Through every medium, her work centers Pasifika joy, social activism, and authentic Pacific Islander representation. Her artwork has been featured in collaborations with major brands including Apple, Disney, Pixar, Sephora, and The New York Times, and she is currently working on her first two picture books as both author and illustrator with Harper Kids, an imprint of HarperCollins. 🔔 Subscribe to Island Fever Podcast for conversations centering Queer & Trans Pacific Islander voices, storytelling, culture, healing, relationships, and community. For more resources:www.pasifikarootedtherapy.com/islandfever [http://www.pasifikarootedtherapy.com/islandfever] Follow Island Fever Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/islandfeverpodcast [http://www.instagram.com/islandfeverpodcast] Watch, share, and join the conversation. 💜

What Does It Mean to PROTECT Trans Kids with Haylin Dennison

In this episode of Island Fever Podcast, Vae, Krit, and Donato sit down with Haylin Dennison to unpack what it actually means to protect Trans Kids -beyond politics, fear, and misinformation. Haylin opens up about her journey as the proud mama of a Trans Kid, sharing honestly about the moments she got it wrong, the growth that transformed her understanding, and the fierce love that now drives her advocacy through Spill The Tea Cafe. Together, they explore what gender-affirming care really is, what it isn’t, and why affirming environments save lives. This conversation is vulnerable, hilarious, emotional, affirming, and deeply unfiltered — offering insight for parents, families, educators, allies, and anyone navigating conversations around gender identity and support.Trans kids remain among the highest-risk groups for suicide, and in Hawai‘i, nearly 50% of trans youth have attempted suicide. Haylin speaks candidly about learning to move from fear to understanding, and why creating affirming spaces for trans youth matters now more than ever. 🌈 Topics Include:• Parenting and supporting Trans Kids• Gender-affirming care explained• Debunking myths about trans youth• Mental health and suicide prevention• Creating affirming family and community spaces• Raising LGBTQ+ youth in Hawai‘i• Healing, accountability, and growth as a parent• Building safer futures for QTPI youth ✨ About Our Guest:Haylin Dennison is a mental health professional and proud owner of Spill the Tea Cafe in Honolulu, Hawai‘i — a community-centered space rooted in healing, affirmation, and connection. 🔔 Subscribe to Island Fever Podcast for conversations centering Queer & Trans Pacific Islander voices, storytelling, culture, healing, relationships, and community. For more resources: https://www.spilltheteacafe.org/ www.pasifikarootedtherapy.com/islandfever https://transfamilysos.org/ https://transresourcehub.wixsite.com/my-site/parent-resources https://pflag.org/ https://www.genderspecialist.com/ Follow Island Fever Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/islandfeverpodcast Watch, share, and join the conversation. 💜